SKT to Halt New 3G Subscriptions... "Aiming to End Service by Late Next Year"

Decrease in Subscribers and Aging Devices Affect Service

SK Telecom announced on August 20 that it will suspend new subscriptions to its 3G service and is gradually moving to terminate 3G service by the end of next year.

SK Telecom will stop, effective today, new subscriptions, number portability, and device changes (including USIM device changes) for 3G devices and LTE devices that do not support HD Voice. Since launching 3G service in 2003, SK Telecom has continued the service for 23 years.

SK Telecom explained that the decision to end the service was due to a decline in 3G subscribers and traffic, aging of 3G devices and equipment, and the shift of the telecommunications environment toward next-generation networks. Major global telecom operators in the US, such as Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T; in Japan, such as NTT Docomo, SoftBank, and KDDI; and in the UK, such as O2, have also terminated 3G services, respectively, due to a decrease in users, the need to improve spectrum utilization efficiency, and the sustainability of network operations.

With the suspension of new subscriptions for 3G service, SK Telecom will support the migration of affected customers to LTE and 5G. Additionally, SK Telecom plans to apply for termination approval from the Ministry of Science and ICT in the future and will gradually proceed with ending the service.

SK Telecom has established a service migration support program to ensure that current 3G device users and users of LTE devices without HD Voice functionality (as of August 20, 2026, 00:00) can switch to LTE or 5G services without inconvenience. Migrating customers will continue to receive their existing bundled discounts and long-term customer benefits.

Eligible customers may choose one of the following options when switching services, according to their preference: ▲Free device replacement (select one from three designated LTE or 5G devices) and up to KRW 12,000 discount per month for 24 months; ▲Device purchase support (up to KRW 380,000) and up to KRW 12,000 discount per month for 24 months; ▲Up to 70% discount on the basic monthly subscription fee for 24 months (up to KRW 700,000).

To reduce billing burdens for elderly customers, SK Telecom will allow 3G subscribers aged 65 and over who switch to LTE or 5G to sign up for the existing "New Silver Plan" (KRW 9,900 per month). Unless the customer changes to another plan after signing up, this plan can be continuously used.

Customers who terminate the service or transfer to another carrier without utilizing the migration support program will receive a termination support payment of KRW 40,000. Any penalties incurred from switching, termination, or transferring to another carrier will be waived. The migration support program will be implemented from today.

SK Telecom plans to inform 3G subscribers of the gradual service termination schedule through various channels, such as MMS messages, the T World website and app, and billing statements via mail and email. Jae-woong Yoon, Head of Product & Brand Division at SK Telecom, said, "We will carefully consider the situations of each customer who has used 3G for a long time and support them through the transition."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.